By Rupveen Arora (Mademoiselle Wanderlust), Head of Lifestyle

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According to Wiki: “St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies. A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed ‘Your Valentine’ as a farewell.”

According to moi:  A day to celebrate love not only with a significant other, but for all those you truly feel blessed to be surrounded by.

That said, here are a few of my top picks for this day to honor, enjoy and celebrate all the love in your life. In fact, of course I will have a pick for self-love as well.

1. Best ‘Pucker-Up’ Color! Fiery

 Stila – Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick – (Beso is a close #2)

I have been searching for the perfect bold red since I was born. Alas, one has surfaced that not only satisfies my need for matte but one that actually stays put. You can drink, eat or smooch all night and you’ll be surprised that your perfect pout is intact.

 

2. Best Dress! Herve Leger Geo Lace Bandage Pencil Dress

Every woman on the planet should have at least one Herve Leger dress in her closet. You will be oozing fabulousness all on account of ‘zipping up’. Quite simply, there is magic in these dresses. Mine somehow very appropriately allow everything to fall into all the right places, making you slimmer where need be, fuller where need be, and most importantly, simply sexy!

3. Best Restaurant Pick in NYC! Estiatorio Milos

I don’t know where you will be come Wednesday evening, but I shall be parked at a table at Milos! There is nothing I don’t absolutely love about Greek-Mediterranean and Milos does the trick. Perhaps, I shouldn’t pull out my Leger for this occasion.

Located @ 125 W. 55th St., New York City

4. Gifts for Him! Hermes Cuff Links 

If your special someone can’t leave the house without wearing cufflinks, I’d opt for any classic pair from the wonderful world of Hermes! Any tie will suffice as well. These days, my top picks are the skinny ties that come in the original Hermes orange coupled with black. I suppose, Orange is the New Black.

5. Gifts for Her: Chanel anything

 

4 Words: Chanel Classic – Chanel Boy.

 

Hermes Clic H never hurt any woman either.

 

 

Gifts for yourself! Anything your heart desires

 

You deserve it, so splurge a little (or a lot)!

 

6. Best Wine! 1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

 

 

It’s one of my absolute, all-time favorite bottles of Red. It’s as though you’ve died and gone to Grape Heaven. If you can somehow manage to land this bottle on your table, consider that the gift itself. I’ve spent many hours tracking this much sought after vino, only to regret not ordering more.

Now that you have your wine, gifts and ensemble in hand, go out and paint the town ‘Red’!

What will you be doing/eating/kissing on this day of Cupid?